Good evening, avid Alex Baker enjoyers. It's been a while, hasn't it? You've probably been wondering where I've been. I'm not here to waste your time, so I'll cut straight to the chase. One year ago, I was sentenced to prison due to a few grievous missteps I made in the past. My lawyer and I both agreed that it would be better if I didn't take too much detail on what happened that evening, but let's just say the incident involved Martha, the kids, and the dog. Alright, I'll start with the basics. Getting out of prison is a surreal experience -- sort of like the feeling when you've been at a long, boring movie and suddenly walk out into daylight, blinking. First thing I noticed? Space. So much space! You don't appreciate the simplicity of open sky and sidewalks until they're gone. The prison itself? Three stars at best. Let's be real; it's not exactly the kind of place you'd put on your bucket list, and I'd skip the accommodations if I could go back. The concrete rooms were sparse, the menu repetitive, and don't even get me started on the lack of privacy. Yet, it was, in a way, educational. You pick up resilience, you learn to live on limited resources, and -- I'll give it credit for this -- you gain an appreciation for things you used to overlook. Staff? Mixed reviews. Some were surprisingly decent, even humanizing, which matters more than you think in a place designed to remind you of your mistakes. Others were just fulfilling the stereotype: bored, hardened, and as much behind bars in their own way as we were. The interactions I had with them were sometimes grounding, sometimes humiliating, but always a reminder of the world waiting beyond the walls. Now, the other "inmates." They're not exactly the best company, but they are eye-opening. You get to know people you'd never meet outside, which changes you. It's where I learned not just about crime and punishment but about people, resilience, and redemption. Biggest takeaway? Freedom is priceless. There's something unquantifiable about taking a walk at your own pace, choosing your own food, or just sitting alone under a tree. So, to anyone tempted to try what I did to end up there? Hard pass. Save yourself the time, and the lesson. Trust me, you'd rather skip this 'experience' if you can. Overall, three stars for prison life, but five stars for what it taught me. Yours truly, Alex Baker. read more

Came here to fellowship with the residents serving time here for a church service. The place is now a rehabilitation center and residents are being trained to become productive members of society and not here for punishment like it used to be. The guards are friendly and kind to us volunteers. Still have stark reminders this is a prison when you hear the huge steel doors shut. read more

San Quentin State Prison (SQSP) has a Yelp listing? Yikes! A Yelp review is a consumer experience. How was your visit to SQSP? I was never an inmate, and never inside the walls. I work in the medical essential services, and I was tasked with taking supplies to a person who lives on the grounds. Most likely I got picked for the job because I under went a Federal Background Check, so I can probably enter most secure facilities. Without going into a lot of detail, the security at SQSP is very similiar to the security of a certain USAF base in Northern California. You have to have a reason to enter, and that reason has to be verified. Your vehicle is subject to search and inspection. Just go in, do your job and leave. read more

San Quentin State Prison - Jails & Prisons Near Me - San Quentin, California

I love the view to the bay. Being on the yard and seeing people on fairy rides undoubtedly looking at us like Zoo animals was really a dope experience. read more

Situated at the Marin County end of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, San Quentin State Prison (SQSP) is one of America's most notorious penitentiaries. Established in 1852, it is the oldest state prison in California. The site was chosen because of its proximity (and distance, no Golden Gate Bridge back then) to San Francisco. With a stunning backdrop of the San Francisco Bay, it is estimated to be worth billions if the State of California decides to sell the land someday. I attended a tour of SQSP with a group of my co-workers yesterday. The tour was organized by one of them, whose brother is the warden. Our group assembled in front of the main gate at around 10 am and the warden was nice enough to greet us there. He gave us a brief overview of SQSP and the California State Prison System before heading off to vacation. One of his lieutenants, a 22-year veteran, took over and led us on the tour. The first two things we saw were the memorial honoring those who died in the line of duty and the adjustment center, which is the first place men sentenced to death go before they are moved to the larger death row cell block. It is probably the most violent place inside SQSP. The lieutenant then arranged for us to meet with three inmates, who have something similar to a "trustee" status. Out of the three men, two were convicted of 1st and 2nd degree murder and the third was sentenced to 54 years to life for burglary and robbery (Estes 211PC) of $40 under the CA 3-strike law. They told us their stories and we had some positive dialogues. The lieutenant then told us about some of the special programs they run for the inmates. Some, such as computer coding and investing, are very innovative and backed by well known individuals and companies. (Harv's comment: 54 years for $40? Seriously? What about those former Wells Fargo executives, who stole from their customers and walked away with millions without spending one single day in jail?) After our interactions with those inmates, we were then led to the "Dungeon", which is California's oldest surviving public work. Afterwards, we proceeded to the exercise yard, where a baseball game was being played and inmates were hanging out. Interestingly, professional and amateur teams come in from time to time to play games and interact with the inmates. The lieutenant jokingly said they control the NBA championship since the Warriors had visited during their 2015 championship season and the Cavaliers did the same in 2016, and both ended up winning the Larry O'Brien Trophy. The exercise yard, we were told, was divided among the inmates based on race. I was really surprised that we were allowed to be so close to the general population. The lieutenant then took us to the dining area. There were three stunning murals painted by Alfredo Santos, a famed artist who did time at SQSP for drug possession. The murals chronicle California's history and Mr. Santos's view on life. We were told that the Smithsonian will inherit the murals should the State of California sell the San Quentin land. After viewing the murals, we were shown the death row cell block. SQSP's death row has more than 700 condemned inmates, which is the largest in the Western Hemisphere. These inmates were responsible for more than 3,700 deaths, a number that surpasses the total death toll of the 9/11 terrorist attack. Here we saw some of the most violent murderers of CA, including Richard Allen Davis, who was convicted of killing Polly Klaas of nearby Petaluma more than two decades ago (the CA 3-strike law was largely passed due to this case). The cell block looked very similar to those at Alcatraz. If you have seen "The Rock", then you can picture what the cell block looks like. Our last stop was the gas chamber room. The lieutenant gave us a detailed lesson of its history and protocols. The chamber itself was converted from a submarine pressure chamber and has a seating of two. There were 12 chairs outside the chamber for the witnesses. The space was a lot smaller than I expected. A prison tour is not for everyone because of personal beliefs, experiences etc. If you think you have the stomach for it, I highly encourage you to do it, just so you can see this part of the justice system up close. I learned a lot today. It was a truly eye-opening experience that I will never forget. read more

San Quentin State Prison - View of San Quentin State Prison from the Parking Lot - Jails & Prisons Near Me - San Quentin, California

See all

please let me out I haven't had a goddamn moment of peace and quiet since I was locked up here. The inmates I can deal with, but the ghost of Richard Ramirez has been following me around talking in great detail about food I've missed while being in here. I miss the sweet cronch of a Doritos locos taco and Richard needs to stop tantalizing me about it. read more

I couldn't edit my previous review on San Quentin Rehabilitation Center I read it again and I said "someone got a step for my sister for the transport van" He did but it is a thoughtful Officer who did that and it was appreciated by us. And to add to this one thanks to everyone there my Grandson is starting college Monday morning ! After being out for a month. Counciling is his chosen field with a class of Criminal Justice among the courses he's taking...hmmm..(as I smile and my heart is full when I say this)..I think they influenced this ,the job they did left an impression on him when he had been devistated and lifeless and they brought him back up. Monday we celebrate a win!Thank you everyone involved in his life while incarcerated. read more

The architecture surely is dated, the noise level is high & the other 'guests' sometimes weren't the most pleasant. But overall I enjoyed my stay here for 3 years and fondly look back at it. North Block was a fine place to reside, I had a room to myself even. SQ has the best library in any facility I've ever been too, a definite highlight of my stay as well as the art's in corrections room, the staff were always pleasant & the aesthetics were above and beyond for showcasing what other 'guests' could do! read more

Wasn't a fun time. They make kinda mids potato's salad but honestly one of the guards was pretty cool. He let me smoke a doobie in the break room read more

I served a 15 year sentence and what can i say.. The guards were great food wasn't too bad made alot of great friends here it was more like a rehabilitation center than prison will definitely be back!! 5 stars read more

They tickled me while I was locked up. Worse than torture. One time a guard said he didnt have a mustache but I think he did yup I swear he did yessir I think he had one but he said he didn't read more

I went to see a friend there last weekend. I was very scared as I have never been to a prison before. It was a very intimidating idea. I can't tell you how grateful I was for all the correctional officers who were on that day. They made the process to be allowed in so easy and during the visit they were very courteous and polite. I never once felt uncomfortable, unsafe, or disrespected. read more

Served a 15 year stint at this place. Showers were cold, yard was lame, and I felt threatened all the time. Jake in the cafe serves the best beans, trust me. Overall, not the worst prison, not the best. Beds were uncomfortable, and bedbugs were all over. read more

What can I say? It's prison life. I ordered the chicken nuggets (big mistake there) and the fish slum was lacking flavor. The peas were okay but definitely not bow grandma use to make them. Oh, and don't even get me started about the service! I Definitely wouldnt come back. Do yourself a favor and go to Kern County Prison instead. If you do decide to go, ask for Big Joe. He owes me a favor. I hope this helps! read more

It's a great institution. Currently administered by dedicated professionals. SQ boasts dozens of programs for the inmate population. It has the most diverse workforce in the bay area. Often hampered by state decisions, budgetary surprises and now COVID, San Quentin continues to serve it's purpose. Public safety and the rehabilitation of inmates for a better reentry into our communities. read more

This prison was Aight, as soon as I arrived I kept getting hollered at. Someone said to me "Texas ballroom b***h how bout you being my lady". As soon as I arrived some fellow named Popeye walked me around and introduced me to all the prisoners that's when I was confronted by a bigger fella named Big Al read more

Every year, I find myself haunted by the frivolous spending that occurred in the last eleven months (paired with invoices and angry letters from Big Brother). To prevent another extension of my stay at San Quentin, I must surrender to an annual celebration of Lent, which I refer to as "Tax Season". Tax Season for me is fasting high-caliber indulgences -- and because I only resolve to the best, this essentially means refraining from eating and drinking (most things). During this period, I may sit in bars and watch others drink, or stand outside restaurants and watch others eat. Nonetheless, the most crucial consequence is spending more time at the home base. San Quentin isn't as bad as it's made out to be. Whilst it may help to have a long line of unmixed lineage, it is wise to stay where you belong (amongst others with whom you share matching skin tones). Prison is about survival, and the odds won't be in your favor if you try it alone -- but overall, SQ is rather mellow. The primary misstep that others make is in comparing San Quentin to a federal prison, such as Lompoc; apples to oranges, my friends! Compared to Gldani or Alcatraz, SQ is a pretty okay place to be. There are several activities to choose from throughout the day to maximize productivity (ie. yoga, wood shop, engineering, anger management, group therapy, etc.) with abundant sunshine, as opposed to other prisons, which may hold you in solitary confinement for up to 24 hours a day with only a thumb hole view of the clouds. Outdoor yard access is available until 8:30pm, to which inmates can play basketball, tennis, baseball, get haircuts, watch card tricks, or socialize at the tables. It's not heaven (it still is a prison, after all), but the facilities are well-maintained. Both lieutenants/volunteers work amicably with inmates to improve conditions and streamline their progression to society, compressing the hostility typically faced in similar habitations. Plus, the guys have a great sense of humor. MINUS ONE STAR BECAUSE CIGARETTES ARE NOT ALLOWED AND RUN $3-$10 EACH VIA UNDERGROUND MARKETS. read more

San Quentin State Prison - Market pricing for prison goodies... In case anyone wants to fund a friend's account :) - Jails & Prisons Near Me - San Quentin, California

Here's one of many favourite dialogs (edited) from the movie Slap Shot - Whoa! Hey, guys. We're in trouble. - What? Oh, Shit, he's here. - Who? - Ogilthorpe. - Ogie Ogilthorpe? For the sake of the game, they oughta throw him in San Quentin. He is a criminal element! - The worst goon in hockey today! San Quentin State Prison is a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation state prison for Men and rich source of cultural reference! San Quentin was opened in July 1852 and is the oldest prison in the state and its death row is the largest in the US. The entire complex sits on 432 acres of the finest Bay Front property around and has separate zip codes for the prison and the Village (94974 and 94964 respectively). The prison currently holds an institutional population of over 5000 inmates (overcapacity). That includes Level I Housing (Open dormitories without a secure perimeter); Level II (Open dormitories with secure perimeter fences and armed coverage) housing; a Reception Center which provides short term housing to process, classify and evaluate incoming inmates; and a Condemned unit. Although "San Quintín" is Spanish for "Saint Quentin", the prison is not named after the Saint. The land on which it is situated, Point Quentin, is named after a Coast Miwok warrior named Quentín, fighting under Chief Marin, who was taken prisoner at that place. I've driven by San Quentin countless times and usually slow down to peer through the Village looking for clues of activity. The town itself is probably one of the safest places to live in California with all that security and surveillance. The area is also popular among wind surfers and offers an especially unique view when you pass the Prison on board the Larkspur Ferry. read more

Interesting to say the least. Breakfast consisted of a tossed salad. Lighting and general ambiance could use some updating.

I was fortunate enough to reside inside the confines of San Quentin. My neighbors were nice for the most part, except for the burly guy three cells down. The overall conditions were as one might expect with the occasional plumming problems, loose cinderblocks, occasional shanks, and frequent weirdness that comes along with being in such a facility. My most concerning areas include all of the wandering eyes when one takes a shower and the food is not all that great. I believe that the chefs are not Michelin-rated, however, the S.O.S. on toast is still pretty spectacular. Would highly recommend it. read more

Very good customer support, room service was always on time. Food could be better but still good. Great views of the water and very safe place. No one can come in from outside and disturb your rest. read more

Looks like a prison when you walk past, is a prison potatoes and gravy are ok chicken and eggs are pretty good make sure you ask for the eggs med then they'll be over easy fried rice and pork beans the best waiters oop I meant guards are nice when you're nice but harsh when you don't behave carful they have guns and they're not afraid to use them, I got the San Quentin Special fried hair and brain love it would recommend read more

When I had arrived at this prison to serve 11 years, I never felt at home as my fellow inmates were very sketchy. This one time a young, big White guy offered me some juice which was D-Bal stating that "it makes you big, though it aint cheap". My response was "Im the biggest on the yard boy, and all i eat is hecka canned tuna and top ramen" and this was true, there was no need for no steroids as I was already swole as a jacked up bear weighing at least 230 at 5'7! In conclusion, although this jail was extremely sketchy, it was my home and my best life memories are within it. read more

The prisión is very safe and the prisoners are very kind and professional. I will definitely go back again!

The staff in this place are great! Other than that I don have very much good to say. Showers were WAY overcouded. My roommate was physically and mentally abusive (he came around in the end) A general smell of Poo in the facilities (bad cleaning i think, but who am I to judge LOL) Several interactions with rowdy/horney inmates that were less than pleasant. A general vibe that was unpleasant. Heroin addicts were very rude Also am now addicted to heroin (LOL) I hate bring them up again, but the showers are really a joke in this place, like a complete free for all. read more

I have read all the reviews and it looks like most people have a tourist or second-hand perspective of this place. Well I'm here to tell you what it's like from the inside. In 1989 when I was 17 I made the mistake of borrowing a strangers car without their permission & after many months of courtroom banter I was sentenced to the California Youth Authority. Unbeknownst to me, California has a "scared straight" program for youthful offenders where they take unwitting sentenced juveniles to the hardest state prisons & ..... Well they let you think this is where you have been sent ..possibly by mistake. The 4 days I spent here were miserable. We all arrive on the grey goose & are schackled and escorted to a main pen to be counted & dispersed. This place is cold & damp and just like every prison movie -(the green mile) you have ever seen depiciting a shit hole prison. Yeah they play baseball with local sF organizations and they have deathrow inmates but mostly its a minimum/medium security facility with a bunch of short timers. It's kind of nostalgic because of its sorted history but... This is not a place you wanna end up. Not all big bad & scary like the movies make it, but cold,damp and miserable with really shitty food. AVOID AT ALL COST! read more

I was a Criminal Justice major, so naturally I'm curious about prisons, jails, different forms of punishment, etc. I hope this review doesn't cause a controversy - because I understand everyone has different views on prison and the inmates. But this is purely a review for the actual structure of the prison, its staff -- and most definitely it is not a review about the inmates themselves. And a disclaimer -- I'm not one of the crazies who proposed to Scott Peterson via snail mail. I was head of a CJ group in college and was able to take a tour of San Quentin State Prison. My fellow taxpayer, did you know that it's free to take a tour? You can't have any pending warrants or misdemeanors/DUIs/felonies and you have to be over 18. This review is for Lieutenant Samuel Robinson - he's the public information officer at SQ and pretty much runs the place along with the warden. He was also the one who helped me arrange the tour for my group. He was also our tour guide. The drive to SQ is scenic and pretty. Right before you reach the prison, there are two signs. One says scenic route and points to the left. The other points to the right [no sign]. And you know, you're going to prison. It's very calm. Seagulls are flying over you, there are big houses, and then you see a -- lighthouse? No, it's a guards station -- and then it hits you-- you are at the prison. The tour includes going to see where the inmates play ball - Girls, get ready for the biggest ego-boosts of your lfie. These men holler and cat-call at you like you've never experienced before. the religious centers, talking with some of the "lifers" who have organized a group themselves called T.R.U.S.T., talking to the actual guards and inmates, going into a cell and seeing how TINY is -- it takes claustrophia to a whole new level, sampling the inmates' food [the chicken and cornbread ain't that bad], walking through their gym, and also going into the gas chamber - where Tookie Williams, among others, were executed. SQ is actually one of the best prisons we have in the nation - the inmates here are appreciative of all the programs that are offered to them. The murals in the cafeteria are vibrant and bold. The architecture is beautiful. The environment in the prison is friendly - the inmates will joke with you and you even see them walking around the prison without any guards or handcuffs on. Of course, the prison is a stage for power struggles as you see authority constantly, constantly being questioned by the inmates. Lt. Robinson himself was a former guard and climbed up the ranks to be the Public Information Officer. He handles all the tours, the media, interviews, etc. This man is dedicated to his job. Many of the inmates truly like the guy - they say that Lt. Robinson is genuine, he truly cares and wants people on the tour to see both sides of the story - the staffs' viewpoints and the inmates' viewpoints. Lt. Robinson also has many, many stories to tell about his career in prison. I'd recommend this tour -- it's definitely an eye-opener and an experience that you will never forget. read more

I really wanted to love this place. I heard that the kitchen used local farms and put great thought in to their seasonally changing menu and the service was not exactly friendly but 'efficient.' Boy was I wrong. When I arrived there was a HUGE line for food, so my hopes got pretty high right off the bat. Everyone seemed really excited for the food so I assumed I was in for a real treat. Again, how wrong I was. I understand that this is buffet style so my service expectations were quite low, but COME ON. I know you make little to no money serving the food, but that doesn't give you the right to be rude and not take in to consideration the different portion sizes that everyone gets. The gentleman before me got a WAY bigger pile of beans and his brisket looked like it was less undercooked than mine. Did the server THINK I simply wouldn't notice the difference? Granted, he did smile and told me to 'enjoy my meal' so I decided not to tell him about the portion discrepancies and give him the benefit of the doubt. It was pretty busy, but I was able to find a table. Again, I understand this is buffet style, but when I asked the gentleman by the front door near where I was sitting if I could sit further from the door he was SUPER RUDE about it. He just motioned for me to sit back down, but at least the front door led to a hallway and not the outside, so although it was raining, I figured I'd be fine. NOW THE FOOD. With the reputation of this place, I thought I would be blown away, but honestly I found most of it to be really underwhelming. The potatoes had lumps in them and the edges got cold pretty fast, so I felt I had to rush through eating them or they wouldn't stay warm for very long. It didn't OCCUR to them that maybe I wanted to take my time? Why don't they serve them just a LITTLE hotter, then there would be no problem. As for the lumps I guess they were pieces of potato, but still, lumps are weird no matter what. The beans were my favorite part. They had a subtle smoky flavor and the texture was just right. However, I did not like the viscosity of the broth they were in. It was so runny it contaminated my other sides and then I wasn't even sure what I was eating. But when I focused on the beans I must admit, I did enjoy them. There is no way that the brisket was grass fed, It was too stringy and when I asked the server what farm the meat was from, he just stared at me like I was crazy. Way to train your staff, San Quentin. I also had a side of carrots and peas. I don't really like carrots and peas but the colors were so vibrant I accepted when the server gestured with the ladle. On the plate it looked like a wonderful heirloom salad bringing a nice aesthetic quality to the display. I must say, again, I was underwhelmed. The carrots were mushy and the peas were either not very ripe or undercooked, but they almost had a crunch to them. What are these PEA NUTS?! I did, however enjoy the cut of the carrot, the ends were rounded so it's not too awkward of a mouthful. But really, the peas and carrots' best contribution was visual, and that is not making the cut. For dessert I had two cookies that were so so. I think they had too much butter in them because they were so chewy. All in all the meal was barely satisfactory and the service needs some work. I mean, maybe just a short explanation of what I'm eating wouldn't be too much to ask? read more

2013/049 In my brief foray in the police academy, we were lucky to be given a private tour by a retired warden, someone who had worked there for decades. We were told ahead of time not to wear certain colors, so as not to inflame any gang members of opposing colors. We were also advised that at any moment, alarms would sound if there was an emergency, and that the guards on duty will not hesitate to shoot. We knew we were in a potentially deadly situation. And that if the prisoners found out we were police cadets out of uniform, we were not going to be treated very well if we were to be held hostage. We started in the courtyard, where we saw an unused baptismal font stored away under a tarp. We visited the prison chapel. We saw the kitchen, where I asked if it was true that the prisoners on death row get whatever they want for their last meals ("within reason" was the answer I got). We saw a couple of empty dining areas, where there was this constant smell of unwashed bodies. The aroma wasn't overpowering, but I recognized it in almost every enclosed area we visited. The area where many of the prisoners slept was a large room, where many men were in bunkbeds. We also visited the cells where the more violent prisoners were kept, 2 in a small cell. Some prisoners willingly allowed us to stand in their cell to see how cramped the space was; I declined. The unwashed bodies smell was especially pungent in this part of San Quentin. The prison yard was actually quite large. The middle had a basketball court. Some groups walked around in an endless loop for their exercise. Many more were in an area doing constant pullups or other exercise. The most violent gang offenders were in a caged area. They spend the entire day separated from each other due to gang affiliations (but in separate, covered, fenced-off areas) doing nothing else but pushups and other exercises. There was a leader counting off in English and Spanish as he was also doing the same exercises. This gave our tour leader the opportunity to warn us to be in active, physical shape at all times, because once these guys get out, they've already been exercising for hours on end, for days and years on end. These inmates could easily do 1,000 pushups in a day. We visited when someone (the name escapes me) who was slated to be executed -- but not on that day -- was getting escorted around. Alarms went off and all activity stopped. We were told to line up (as were all the prisoners), as several armed guards surrounding the condemned man in hand/feet cuffs walked him down a lane expressly for death row prisoners. We weren't allowed to see the area where the death row prisoners were housed, but we did see its nondescript facade. And we didn't get the chance to see the execution chamber, probably because it was slated to be in use within days of our visits. All in all, an interesting place. It's hard to rate this a 4 when Yelp says "Yay! I'm a fan!" or a 5 for a similar reason. I definitely would not want to be here. read more

I'll actually review the place as I've been here and processed (voluntary), currently have family here in the Level 2 block. First, the visiting staff is really helpful and nice. You get to know them after a few trips and they, even with all the rules, are pretty cool about most things. Walking from visitor intake to the main jail you get a glimpse of what is going on here. Huge complexes, buildings, wire fences, barbed wire, more fences. They don't recognize hostages in here, so if something goes down, you better be cool with someone! The visiting center is interesting. You walk through the Death Row visiting cells (they lock you in with them) and they all have that look as soon as they realize someone is behind them. All inmates get it. Its still a place with its own rules and everyone plays by them. Some people you always see. there is an Muslim family I see there every time in the same chairs, a few old timers that I've seen for more years than I care to remember. Your visits can be most of the day, and there are plenty of vending machines that you can buy snacks for your friend. Its gets to be loud, and the tables are like in preschool. Its a much friendly place than High Desert, and yes, they have a real, operating Death Row here. My personal political support for it aside, they still don't have it that bad in there. Two of my uncles got thet GED's here, one is head of the carpentry shop and it gives him something to do and to be proud of, which is tough in a place like this. So rail against the Death Penalty all you want, "slave labor" when the inmates love doing something outside their cells, and whatever else. When you fuck up, this is where you go, and its actually pretty damn good. read more

They really need to either update their visitatiin requirements or have additional training for some of the correction officers/visitation staff. Upon an early arruval to visit my loved one, I ended up having to miss over half ofour visit, due to dress requirements. It's pretty simple to follow the rules, unless you have officers twisting them, to suit their personal issues. If the rules are different than what is shown on the website and on their distributed rules, they need to communicate that, ahead of time. Officers need to remember, the visitors are not the prisoners. Disrespect, arrogance and lies are a clear indicator that additional training or more education is needed. read more

San Quentin State Prison - San Quentin, an example of what midevil buildings would look like, if still standing and unkept. - Jails & Prisons Near Me - San Quentin, California

Pros: cool location and ac not necessary, great view (if you can get it), has a new hospital, industries make office furniture, offers prison university, nice gardening in the couryard and a few other nooks. Cons: lots of them, way overcrowded (over 5000 in a place designed for about 3000), 2 people per 5x9 cell, death row has something like 600 people, stench is horrendous especially in the mess hall, gymnasium is full of bunkbeds and also at capacity. The question is, what kind of people do we want coming out of here and back into society....and does this place deliver those people? read more

Set on prime real estate and with a view of the water, San Quentin is an ugly low -tech horror show, an old dungeon. The doors clang behind when you enter. The tiers are eiry and scary and there is a chill in the air. It is not a nice place. Many people see the inside as this is where you go to be processed and assigned your more permanent place of incarceration. The better to scare you. This is an old place, some of the buildings date from the 1800s, one has writing on it in Old English, I think it said "Infirmary" or maybe "hospital". Grim and greenish, this is California's Death Row, and it feels like it is. The most important thing for me about San Quentin is that George Jackson wrote his book Blood in My Eye here. Shortly after he finished he was shot down in the yard, an "escape attempt." Someday there won't be places like this where some humans make others live, and die. read more

I had a tour through the prison. We were able to walk around the "yard" and see the execution chamber. If you ever get the opportunity to go on a tour here definitely go. It was a great place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there. read more

I'm writing this review as a person who visited a loved one here. I came here to visit a family member and before I did that I had to call the SQ appointment line. The officer I spoke to on the phone was very rude, kept sighing when I asked questions and gave me no info whatsoever..What do I expect right?? Going to visit someone at a prison can be intimidating, however, when I went to the prison to go visit, the officers that checked me in were very helpful to me & everyone else they were processing in that day to visit. read more

to tim, who hates prisons. why did you choose to live there dickhead its not like they can build a prison quickly so its your own fuckin fault. fuck you. eat my ass. - from, concerned citizen read more

I've been told that the breakfasts here suck, but at least it has a nice view. Easy on/off freeway access, friendly staff, vending machines that work, and a cute yellow line for visitors to follow while being monitored. The residents (or at least the ones I've met) seem okay but the little phone things you have to speak through are barely audible. read more

I enjoyed all of my 312 years at this prison! I would recommend to sex offenders like me! My inmate wanted to do a funny Hazbin Hotel sex joke to me in my sleep and that's why I'm a homosexual. read more

dawg you better believe this prison is alright and def my go to. i was only stabbed thrice. one of those times was by a rat, how neat. i do, however, feel as though the room service could have been better. read more

This place have very rude staff.. I came before in some white pants that wasn't tight and the guy that was working they told me I can't go in with my pants on had me trun all the way around doing a 360 only for hi. To check me out.... i went before with my grandma and my 2 children 1 & 6 my 1 year old can't walk yet and they made me walk him thru the metal detector by himself and when I started to express the fact that I've been to other jail and court houses and never had to walk my son thru by himself they started talking smart and rude telling me they can cancel my visit it pissed me off cause I refuse to let anyone talk to me stupid so I said what I had to say they wrote out a statement.... worst prison ever read more